KUALA LUMPUR: Three Japanese women and a Spanish man have been arrested in a raid on a cosplay festival for participating without the proper permits, immigration authorities said.
The role-playing craze, where enthusiasts imitate characters from anime series, comics and video games, has been growing in popularity.
The four foreigners were taking part in the “Geek Summit” on Sunday in Shah Alam, when immigration officials raided the event following a complaint.
“They came into Malaysia on tourist visas, but they were dressed up and performing without permission,” Selangor Immigration Department director Mohamad Shukri Nawi told AFP.
Foreigners wanting to take part in arts performances need permission from a government agency.
Authorities did not know which characters the performers were dressed up as when they were detained.